Marsh rejoins Wright, Chappell in India race

MADRAS, India - Former Australian coach Geoff Marsh is back in contention for the Indian coaching job with compatriot Greg Chappell and New Zealand's John Wright, Indian cricket officials said today.

"Geoff Marsh has offered himself for the post again," Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president AC Muthiah told reporters before conducting interviews with Wright and Chappell.

Muthiah said Marsh, a former Australian opener and vice-captain, will visit India in the next few days to be interviewed for the job.

Marsh, who stepped down from the Australian coaching post in September 1999, said last week he was no longer interested in the India post and wanted to spend more time with his family.

The BCCI president said the final choice would be made soon after consideration by two committees of the board.

The coach's job fell vacant after former captain Kapil Dev quit last month in the wake of investigations into match-fixing allegations. Dev has denied the allegations.

Wright, a former opener, and Chappell, one of Australia's finest batsmen, are scheduled to meet Muthiah, former India skipper Srinivas Venkatraghavan, National Cricket Academy chairman Raj Singh Dungarpur and BCCI secretary Jaywant Lele.

BCCI's attempt to find a foreign coach have been strongly criticised by some former Indian players.

"I'm strictly against a foreign coach," Yashpal Sharma, a member of the 1983 World Cup-winning team, told Reuters.

"Officials must have faith in senior (Indian) cricketers."

Wright, 46, is coach of English county Kent. Chappell, 52, coached South Australia and is a national selector.

Sharma said the BCCI could turn to India batting legend Sunil Gavaskar or former batsman Mohinder Amarnath.

"They (Indian coaches) can also communicate better," he said.